JPH11305870A - Docking station device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a space-saved docking station device having an extended function equivalent to a desk-top device without impairing its operability by using only one portable information processor. SOLUTION: In this device, a docking station 10 equipped with a power supply unit 81, a floppy disk driver 14, and a CD-ROM drive 15, a thin display 91 with a tilt function, and a mechanism for mounting a portable information processing terminal 1 are integrated. The docking station 10 is connected with the portable information processing terminal 1 by means of a docking connector 5 linked with an extended connector 83, and of a power source connector 4 connected through a power line with a power source connector 82.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a docking station device for providing a portable information processing device with an extended function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of computers, the use of both desktop computers only for use in offices and the like and portable information processing devices having mobility (notebook personal computers, subnotebook personal computers, portable terminals, etc.). There are many. On the other hand, offices sometimes use only laptop computers instead of desktop computers due to space issues. In the former case, the use of a plurality of computers complicates data exchange. For this reason, there is one that docks a portable information processing device with a desktop personal computer. In the latter case, since a notebook-type personal computer alone has poor expandability, a docking station is placed at the bottom of the main body, and the docking station is connected to peripheral devices. Alternatively, there has been conceived of a device that connects to a desktop docking station from the front as disclosed in JP-A-8-22342.

[0003]

On the other hand, a thin display (such as a liquid crystal display) having a depth smaller than that of a CRT can be used to realize space saving. In this case, the body of the conventional desktop personal computer is too large. For this reason, there is a small desktop personal computer that saves space, but this does not allow the portable information processing device to be docked in the personal computer main body. In other words, it is difficult to save space when using multiple personal computers.

Next, consider the use of only a portable information processing device. It is desirable that the portable information processing device is small and lightweight, and therefore, its expandability is reduced. This includes the external connection of auxiliary storage devices (FDD, CD-ROM, etc.). A docking station is used to compensate for these expandability. In addition, the keyboard and pointing device of a notebook personal computer do not have good operability, and external input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse are used. It uses a larger external display with a larger display area than the screen of a laptop computer.

When a peripheral device is connected by using a docking station, the main body of the notebook PC is often used only for internal devices such as a CPU and a storage device without using a portion operated directly from the outside in the function of the notebook type personal computer. It gets in the way.
Furthermore, a desktop personal computer consumes more power than a notebook personal computer and is inefficient for energy saving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to use only one portable information processing apparatus, and the single apparatus has both the performance of a portable device and the performance of a desktop machine. The purpose is to provide a docking station that has the same extended functions as a desktop machine in space.

[0007]

A docking station according to the present invention comprises a thin display unit, a docking box unit capable of incorporating a portable information processing device, and a docking station unit incorporating an auxiliary storage device and a power supply. Is what it is. The thin display unit and the docking box unit are usually installed and fixed on the docking station unit.

In order to save space, the docking box is installed behind the thin display unit. The thin display unit is detachable, and only the thin display unit is replaced to improve the function. The docking box is also removable. When the portable information processing device is changed, a docking box corresponding to the change is installed instead. Each unit in the docking station is also removable and can be replaced with the latest one.

In order to mount the portable information processing apparatus on the docking station, the portable information processing apparatus is pushed from above the docking box. When the power of the portable information processing device is turned on, the power of the docking station is turned on. When carrying, the portable information processing device can be used independently by pulling it out of the docking station. The charging of the battery included in the portable information processing device is automatically performed when the battery is attached to the docking station.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a docking station and peripheral devices connected to a portable information processing device as viewed from the front. In FIG. 1, the docking station 10
Has a display panel 12 and a docking box 13 mounted on a display panel support 11 at an upper part, a floppy disk drive 14 and a CD-ROM drive 15 built-in, and a floppy disk drive 14 and a CD-ROM drive on the front. 15 and a communication port 16 are arranged. Keyboard 1 for external input device
7 and the mouse 18 are connected. The communication port 16 is for connecting a wireless keyboard, mouse and the like. That is, the keyboard and mouse may be physically connected and wired, or may be wirelessly connected.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are overall structural views of a docking station and peripheral devices connected to the portable information processing device as viewed from the rear. In FIG. 2, the display panel 12 is attached to the display panel support 11 with a display angle adjusting shaft 21. Docking box 1
3 has a card insertion slot 22 and a power switch auxiliary button 23 on the side surface. The docking box 13 can accommodate the portable information processing terminal 1. This docking box allows for a smooth connection.

The docking box is an example,
As shown in FIG. 3, a docking station including only a lock mechanism 31, a lock mechanism 32, a lock mechanism 33, and a lock mechanism 34 for fixing the main body may be used. In other words, it is only necessary that the portable information processing terminal is connected to the docking station body and has a portion for fixing. The lock mechanism has a function of automatically adjusting the thickness of the portable information processing terminal.

In FIG. 2, the portable information processing terminal 1 includes a notebook personal computer, a sub notebook personal computer, and the like. A card slot 2 and a power switch 3 are provided on the side of the portable information processing terminal 1. When the portable information processing terminal 1 is inserted into the docking box 13, the card slot 2 and the card insertion slot 22 come to the same position so that the card can be inserted and removed. When the power switch 3 and the power switch auxiliary button 23 come to the same position and operate the power switch auxiliary button 23, the power switch 3 operates. Further, the portable information processing terminal 1 and the docking station 10 can be hot docked.

On the back of the docking station 10,
There are a power supply terminal 24, a network terminal 25, an extension connector terminal 26, a keyboard terminal 27, and a mouse terminal 28. A power cord 29 is connected to the power terminal 24 to supply power from outside. A network cable is connected to the network terminal 25 and connected to another information processing device. The extension connector terminal 26 includes a serial connector, a parallel connector, an audio connector, and the like, and connects peripheral devices. By providing an audio interface on the docking station, external speakers and game ports can be expanded.

The keyboard 17 is connected to the keyboard terminal 27, and the mouse 18 is connected to the mouse terminal 28. The connector terminals are not fixed to the rear surface, and may be on the side surface or the upper portion. Further, a display unit may be provided before and after the docking box 13 so as to have a multi-display function for simultaneously viewing screens from the front and back.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the docking station. A display panel support 11 and a docking box 13 are provided above the docking station 10.
There is. The display panel 12 is attached to the display panel support 11 with a display angle adjusting shaft 21.
If the size of the display panel support 11 is adjusted, the display panel support 11 can withstand the weight of the large screen display.

The display angle adjusting shaft 21 is operable, so that the display panel 12 can move a certain angle in the front, rear, left and right directions. This display angle adjusting shaft 21 has a tilt function,
A connector for connecting a high-speed signal cable for display is included. The docking box 13 is located right next to the display panel support 11. In the figure, the portable information processing terminal 1 is inserted into the docking box 13.
The depth dimension of the docking station 10 is determined by the size of a device such as a floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM drive and the size of a power supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the docking station and peripheral devices, showing the overall positional relationship. The docking box 13 is arranged at a position where the portable information processing terminal 1 does not collide with the docking box 13 from directly above at any angle when the angle of the display panel 12 is adjusted.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the docking box 13 when the portable information processing terminal 1 is not inserted. This docking box 13 has a shutter for preventing dust from entering the docking connector section when not in use. A protective door 55 and a protective door 56 are provided above the docking box 13. The protective door 55 and the protective door 56 are respectively provided with an opening / closing bracket 51, an opening / closing bracket 52, an opening / closing bracket 53, and an opening / closing bracket 5.
4 is fixed to the docking box 13. The opening / closing fitting can be returned to the original state by a spring or a spring. When the portable information processing terminal 1 is not inserted, the protection door is closed as shown in FIG. 5 so that the inside of the docking box 13 is not visible.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the docking box 13 when the portable information processing terminal 1 is inserted.
In FIG. 7, the illustration of the portable information processing terminal 1 is omitted for convenience. The terminal fixing groove 6 is provided on the side of the docking box 13.
1. There is a terminal fixing groove 62. At the bottom of the docking box 13, there are a docking power supply connector 63, a docking extension connector 64, a docking station connector 65, and a connector base 66. When the portable information processing terminal 1 is inserted, the protective door 55 and the protective door 56 open to the side. After insertion, the portable information processing terminal 1 is fixed by the terminal fixing groove 61, the terminal fixing groove 62, and the connectors at the bottom, and is stabilized.

FIG. 8 is a view of the docking box 13 as viewed from the rear. The upper part of the docking box 13 shows an open protective door 55 and a closed protective door 56. A terminal fixing groove 61 and a terminal fixing groove 62 are provided inside the side surface of the docking box 13. A card insertion slot 22 and a power switch auxiliary button 23 are provided outside the side surface of the docking box 13. Inside the bottom of the docking box 13, there are a connector base 66 and connectors. The portable information processing terminal 1 is securely fixed by the terminal fixing groove 61, the terminal fixing fixing groove 62, the docking power connector 63 and the docking extension connector 64 on the connector base 66. A fixing claw 71 and a fixing claw 72 are provided outside the bottom of the docking box 13. The docking box 13 is fixed to the docking station 10 with the fixing claws 71 and the fixing claws 72.

FIG. 9 is a view of the docking station 10 as viewed from the rear. Inside the docking station 10, there are a floppy disk drive 14, a CD-ROM drive 15, and a power supply unit 81. The floppy disk drive and CD-ROM drive are removable and can be replaced with other drives. At the top of the docking station 10, a power connector 82 for connecting to the docking power connector 63 of the docking box 13, an extension connector 83 for connecting to the docking station connector 65, and an extension connector 84 for connecting to the display panel. There is a fixing hole for fixing the docking box and the display panel. Power supply unit 81
Is supplied with power from the outside via a power supply terminal 24.

Each drive in the docking station 10 is supplied with electric power directly from the power supply unit 81, and the portable information processing terminal 1 in the docking box 13 is supplied with electric power via the power supply connector 82. This includes the charging power of the battery mounted on the portable information processing terminal 1. The power switch auxiliary button 23 is also used to control the power on / off of the power supply unit 81.

When the portable information processing terminal 1 is not in the docking box 13, no power is supplied from the power supply unit. When the portable information processing terminal 1 is in the docking box 13, the power from the power supply unit 81 is supplied only to the charging circuit of the portable information processing terminal 1 when the power of the portable information processing terminal 1 is off. . When the power of the portable information processing terminal 1 is on, the power supply unit 81
Is supplied to all the drives in the docking station 10, the display panel, and the like.

The extension connector 83 is connected to the docking station connector 65 of the docking box 13. Each connector on the back of the docking station 10, each drive in the docking station, and the extension connector 84 are connected to the extension connector 83. The display extension connector 84 connects to a connector on the display panel support 11.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the connection between the portable information processing terminal 1 and the docking station 10. As shown in FIG. For the connection between the docking station 10 and the portable information processing terminal 1, a signal is connected by the docking connector 5 and the extension connector 83, and a power supply line is connected by the power supply connector 4 and the power supply connector 82. In an example of the present invention, a docking box 13 is provided between the portable information processing terminal 1 and the docking station 10, but is omitted in this figure.

Inside the docking station 10,
Signals from the expansion connector 83 are connected to the display expansion connector 84, the power supply unit 81, the floppy disk drive 14, the CD-ROM drive 15, and the rear connector terminals 94 by connection lines. The thin display with tilt function 91 is a display panel support 1
1, a display panel 12, a display angle adjusting shaft 21, and a display expansion connector 92. The docking station 93 with a display includes a thin display 91 with a tilt function and the docking station 10.

Power is supplied to the power supply unit 81 from the outside via the power supply terminal 24, and is supplied from the power supply unit 81 to the thin display 91 with a tilt function through the drives inside the docking station 10, the display extension connector 84, and the display extension connector 92. Is done.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the expandability of the docking station. The docking station 10 is connected with a thin display 91 with a tilt function and a docking box 13. When the performance of the display unit is improved and the display unit is replaced with a higher-performance one, only the thin display 91 with a tilt function or the display panel 12 may be replaced. Portable information processing terminal 1
In order to improve the function, only the docking box 13 needs to be replaced. Alternatively, in the case of only the lock mechanism, there is no replacement of parts because the adjustment can be performed automatically. In addition, since each drive in the docking station is replaceable, the functions can be individually improved.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing each connector of the portable information processing terminal 1. On the side of the portable information processing terminal 1, there are a card slot 2 and a power switch 3 for expanding functions. On the back of the portable information processing terminal 1, there are a power connector 4, a docking connector 5, and an extension connector 6. When inserted into the docking box 13, the power supply connector 4 is connected to the docking power supply connector 63 and supplies power from the power supply unit 81. The docking connector 5 is connected to the docking extension connector 64. The extension connector 6 is a communication terminal such as a modem terminal.

The portable information processing terminal 1 has, as docking interfaces, one or more expansion connectors such as a PCI bus and IEEE1394 and a power connector. The power connector may be included in the extension connector, but it is better to be independent in consideration of power supply from an external power source when carrying.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of the docking connector 5 on the back of the portable information processing terminal 1.
The docking connector 5 of the portable information processing terminal 1 and the extension connector 83 of the docking station are connected by a digital interface, and the docking connector 5 and the extension connector 83 have a digital interface connection port and a high-speed port 96 and a low-speed port. There are two ports 97 for use.

Although only the ports of the docking connector 5 are shown in the figure, the expansion connector 83 also has two types of ports. The high-speed port of the docking connector 5 and the high-speed port of the extension connector 83 are connected to the low-speed port of the docking connector 5 and the extension connector 8.
Three low-speed ports are connected. High-speed port 9
A port 6 is used for a device having a high transfer rate such as a disk drive or a display device. The low-speed port 97 is a port used for a device having a relatively low transfer speed, such as an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, a thin display is mounted on the docking station, and the portable information processing device is docked behind the display. In addition, since the docking station is a display-integrated docking station, external wiring with the display is unnecessary. And the function can be easily extended with a PC card or the like. Since a digital interface is used for the extension connector, the number of connection lines is small, the size of the docking connector can be reduced, and wiring can be simplified. Looking at the structure, it is easy to assemble with a split structure,
There is stability because it is stacked from heavy. Also,
Since there is room in the whole, heat radiation is easy. Further, since each part of the docking station can be individually changed, the function can be easily improved. Furthermore, the power consumption is reduced as compared with a desktop personal computer, so that energy is saved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a docking station and peripheral devices connected to a portable information processing device as viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a docking station using a docking box connected to a portable information processing apparatus and peripheral devices as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of a docking station having a lock mechanism connected to the portable information processing apparatus and peripheral devices as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the docking station.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the docking station and peripheral devices as viewed from above, and showing the overall positional relationship.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the docking box when no portable information processing terminal is inserted.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the docking box when the portable information processing terminal is inserted.

FIG. 8 is a view of the docking box as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 9 is a view of the docking station as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a connection form between a portable information processing terminal and a docking station.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing expandability of the docking station.

FIG. 12 is a view showing connectors of the portable information processing terminal.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of a docking connector terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable information processing terminal 10 Docking station 11 Display panel support 12 Display panel 13 Docking box 14 Floppy disk drive 15 CD-ROM drive 16 Communication port 21 Display angle adjustment axis 31 Lock mechanism 51 Opening / closing bracket 55 Protective door 81 Power supply unit 91 Tilt Thin display with functions 93 Docking station with display 96 High-speed port 97 Low-speed port

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Kimura 1099 Ozenji-cho, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Hitachi, Ltd.System Development Laboratory Co., Ltd. (72) Yukihide Inagaki 1099 Ozenji-cho, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Stock Hitachi, Ltd. System Development Laboratory

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A housing, a power supply provided inside the housing, a plurality of devices detachably provided inside the housing, and a portable information processing device provided on an upper surface of the housing. A docking station device comprising: means for connecting and fixing the device; a display device attached to the upper surface of the housing so as to be adjustable in angle; and a plurality of connector terminals provided on a side surface of the housing. 2. The docking station device according to claim 1, wherein the means for connecting and fixing the portable information processing device includes a lock mechanism for holding and fixing a lower portion of the portable information processing device. 3. The docking station device according to claim 1, wherein the means for connecting and fixing the portable information processing device includes a box-shaped storage device having an opening at an upper portion into which the portable information processing device is inserted. 4. The docking station device according to claim 1, wherein the means for connecting and fixing the portable information terminal device is provided on the back side of the display device. 5. The docking station device according to claim 1, wherein the connector for connecting the portable information terminal device and the docking station device is a digital interface having at least two ports for a high-speed line and a low-speed line. 6. A column which is detachably installed upright on the upper surface of the housing and is connected to the docking device by a connector. The column is detachably attached to the upper portion of the column via a tilt mechanism and is connected to the column by the connector. The docking station device according to claim 1, further comprising a display device. 7. The docking station device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply for charging a secondary battery in the portable information processing device while the portable information processing device is connected and fixed. 8. The docking station device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a plurality of thin display devices, and the portable information processing device is connected and fixed to an intermediate portion of the plurality of thin display devices.